A69533:288
Five disputations of church-government and worship
Five disputations of church-government and worship by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1659
Whether it be Necessary or Profitable to the right order or the Pea… › Argument 7
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Argum. 7. That Episcopacy which is the product of Proud Ambition and Arrogancy, contrary to the express command of Christ, is not to be restored for Order or Peace. But such is the late English Prelacy: therefore, &c.
Argum. 7. THat Episcopacy which is the product of Proud Ambi•ion and Arrogancy, contrary to the express command of Christ, is not to be restored for Order or Peace. But such is the late English Prelacy: therefore, &c.
The Major is undoubted. The Minor is proved thus. Were it not for proud Ambition men would not strive to have the doing of more work then an hundred times as many are able to do, and the answering before God for as many souls: But the English Prelates did strive to have the work and account of many hundreds: therefore, &c.
The Major is undoubted. The Minor is proved thus. Were it not for p•oud Ambition men would not strive to have the doing of more work then an hundred times as many are able to do, and the answering before God for as many souls: But the English Prelates did strive to have the work and account of many hundreds: therefore, &c.
The Minor is proved and known by experience. And the Major is proved thus. 1. From the common averseness that all men have to labour, excessive oppressing labour, and that spiritual too. 2. From the self-love that is naturally in all: No man can naturally and rationally desire that which would tire him, oppress him, and finally damn him, without great repentance, and the special mercy of God, unless by the power of some lust that draweth him to it. 3. And common prudence will teach men not to thrust themselves into impossible undertakings. If we see a man desirous to have the Rule of a whole County under the Prince, and that there should be no Justice of Peace, or other Magistrate to Rule there but he, though he know that he must answer it upon his life, if the County be no well Ruled, as to the punishing of all the known drunkards, swearrs, adulterers &c. in the County; may not any man see that Ambition makes this man in a manner besides himself, o ese he would never set so light by his own life, as certainly and wilfully to cast it away, by undertaking a work which he knoweth many men are unable to perform: And Ambition it must needs be because Honour and Preheminency is the bait and thing contended for, and there is nohing else to do it. And how expressly do Christ forbid this to his Apostles, telling them, [With you it shll